5G Mobile Network Installation and Maintenance (I&M)

5G Mobile Network I&M Implementation

Implementing three key elements of 5G (low latency, high speed and large capacity, and multiple simultaneous connections) is expected to facilitate rollout of new applications in fields such as self-driving vehicles, remote control of heavy machinery, ultra-high-definition video streaming, telepresence at sports events, etc. However, actually implementing applications taking advantage of low latency, high speeds, large capacity, and multiple simultaneous connections not only requires a communications technology paradigm shift from 4G to 5G but also requires a simultaneous technical revolution for 5G mobile networks from 4G (LTE). Currently, 5G mobile network and proof-of-concept testing are in progress, but rollout of commercial 5G mobile network services requires provision of measurement solutions at 5G mobile network I&M for assuring stable operation and preventive maintenance of mobile fronthaul, Core, Metro, etc., network components.

5G Mobile Network Innovation

5G mobile networks are innovating as follows against a background of 5G technology featuring low latency, high speeds, large capacity, and multiple simultaneous connections.

eCPRI/RoE Communications Technology
5G base stations handling large data volumes at high speeds are starting to use the new eCPRI/RoE communications technology instead of the legacy CPRI technology for processing communications in the antenna and signaling sections.

Optical Network Expansion Optical network sections are being used increasingly at various locations to increase capacity using the high speed, low latency and multiple simultaneous connections features of 5G.

More 5G Base Station (mmWave) Installations: Since 5G mmWave band waveforms are more easily obstructed than LTE, each base station only covers a narrow area, which requires installation of more small 5G base stations to achieve the same coverage as LTE.

Increased Data Traffic: Speed-up and increase the number of mobile fronthaul, Core and Metro networks.

Beamforming Technology using mmWave (active antenna systems）
Communications between 5G terminals and base stations use so-called mmWave band frequencies of 28 GHz and 39 GHz. The key weaknesses of the mmWave band are large attenuation, directivity, and easy obstruction. In particular, directivity (slight beam slippage preventing signal reception) is a problem, and small 5G base stations require beamforming technology to transmit radio signals to 5G terminals. Small 5G base stations use highly directional active antennas.

Making the above switch in radio communications technology from 4G to 5G results in huge innovations in mobile networks supporting 5G. In addition, as commercial 5G comes into practical use, as well as increases in numbers of small 5G base station installations and conversions to optical fiber, we can expect the following increased demand based on the above-described innovation.

Transport Tester Required by 5G Mobile Network I&M

Transport Measurements Required by 5G Mobile Network I&M

5G Mobile Network eCPRI/RoE MeasurementsCommon Public Radio Interface (CPRI) compliant interface equipment has been used for 3G and LTE systems to convert the mobile fronthaul wireless signal to the optical signal. CPRI is commonly said to need to be about 16 times faster than the radio transmission speed to perform digital conversion of radio signals. Since 5G transmission speeds are about 100 times faster than LTE, a new eCPRI/RoE technology based on market mainstream Ethernet is being adopted. With 5G featuring high speeds and large capacity, maintaining mobile fronthaul communications quality requires communications and latency tests measuring either CPRI or RoE frame bit errors and latency with high accuracy.

5G Mobile Network Latency MeasurementsSince maintaining minimum assured communication speeds is generally impossible using Ethernet, latency times of the entire network including the 5G mobile fronthaul must be managed strictly. To suppress latency times between the mobile fronthaul 5G antenna and Core/Metro network, it is important to minimize the latency of the network equipment as much as possible. Implementing the 5G low-latency feature requires using two testers to accurately measure one-way delay between two distant separate points.

5G Mobile Network Time Synchronization MeasurementsUse of the 5G mmWave band requires many small base stations because the high radio-wave frequency only propagates over short distances. As a result, the Precision Time Protocol (PTP) is used to synchronize time between base stations. Time synchronization using PTP demands strict evaluation of the entire network to maintain time differences within the permissible range. Accurately evaluating the 5G low-latency feature demands precision time-synchronization evaluation (Time Error measurement) using a test instrument with built-in GPS receiver.

Optical Fiber Testers Required by 5G Mobile Network I&M

Optical Fiber Measurements Required by 5G Mobile Network I&M

5G Mobile Network PON (Passive Optical Network) Measurements5G mobile fronthaul networks require a lot of testing between the many base stations (RRH) and 5G base band unit (BBU). Using the PON method to connect the many RRH with one BBU using an optical fiber splitter is a key technique for efficient deployment of many 5G base stations. Sharing an optical fiber by using a PON helps cut costs in comparison to other methods. Any optical pulse tester (OTDR) used to measure optical fiber transmission losses as well as distances to and locations of fiber faults must have both high precision for analyzing a PON optical splitter with up to 128 branches as well as an easy-to-use Pass/Fail function for evaluating the optical splitter status.

5G Mobile Network Overall (Core, Metro, 5G Mobile Fronthaul, Mobile Backhaul) Optical Line MeasurementsOptical fiber I&M (Core, Metro, 5G mobile fronthaul, mobile backhaul) requires detection and measurement of fiber breaks at trunk-cable I&M, including the access drop cable. An optical pulse tester (OTDR) must have sufficient performance to detect events, such as loss and reflections, with high accuracy in fibers ranging from a few meters to fibers exceeding 200 km in length. Additionally, the OTDR must have functions for simple display of measurement results using an original detection algorithm.

The ACCESS Master MT9085 series supports deployment of large-capacity 5G mobile networks with functions for measuring PON optical splitters now under consideration for mobile fronthaul applications; it can detect fiber events, such as optical fiber loss and reflections, in 5G mobile networks with high accuracy and also has functions for displaying easy-to-understand measurement results using an original Anritsu algorithm.In addition, as well as keeping the popular rotary knob and hard keys from previous models, the MT9085 series adds a new touchscreen for even better operability.For details: Touchscreen OTDR MT9085 Series

RFRF Measurements

RF Measurements Required by 5G Mobile Network I&M

RF Testers Required by 5G Mobile Network I&M

RF Measurements Required by 5G Mobile Network I&M

5G Mobile Network OTA Measurements

As RF technologies continue to become more ingrained in our daily lives, the RF spectrum is becoming more crowded at all frequencies. The ability to view the RF spectrum and measure transmissions is critical in order to avoid interference and achieve guaranteed performance of the unique technologies used in 5G networks – mmWave frequencies, active antenna systems, beamforming, and dynamic physical layers. While existing LTE networks have test ports to validate RF characterization of the radio, with active antennas systems (AAS) test ports are most likely unavailable requiring testing to be conducted over the air (OTA).

With continuous frequency coverage from 9 kHz to 9/14/20/26.5/32/44/54 GHz, the Field Master Pro MS2090A is specifically designed to meet the challenges of 5G test while maintaining support for a full range of other wireless technologies in use today. Its unparalleled performance makes measurements like spectrum clearing, radio alignment, harmonic, distortion, and coverage mapping even more accurate than previously possible. For modulation measurements on digital systems, 100 MHz modulation bandwidth coupled with best-in-class phase noise performance maximizes measurement accuracy and 0.5 dB typical amplitude accuracy provides confidence when testing transmitter power and spurious. OTA measurements are supported by standing in front of the 5GNR and AAS, ideally in the far field, and using a wave guide horn or broadband antenna to make measurements on the beams formed. The Field Master Pro MS2090A is able to make a full range of RF measurements by decoding the synchronization signal blocks (SSB) and displaying values of RSRP, channel power, EVM, etc. of each beam.

History and Achievements

High-Speed Digital Communications Market

With its development of a 2-Gbps pulse pattern generator and an error rate tester in 1975, Anritsu achieved the world’s first gigabit-order transmission speed, forming the foundation for today’s ultra-high-speed technologies. We started marketing dedicated measuring instruments for high-speed digital transmission circuits and equipment from the 1990s, and developed 10-Gbit/s SONET/SDH/PDH/ATM analyzers in 2000. They were adopted by the world’s major equipment manufacturers and communications carriers, becoming hit product(s) for the ultra-high-speed digital communications era. Following this success, we released an Ethernet analyzer and 100-Gbps measuring instruments with world-beating technologies for the world’s digital communications markets.

World Leader in Optical Measurement Technologies

Commercial optical measurement products appeared in 1977 and Anritsu took the world lead by developing an optical pulse test OTDR in 1980. The 1984 boom in installation of optical fiber communications networks marked large-volume orders for the OTDR, and in 1995 Anritsu released the world’s fastest rugged and compact OTDR for the handheld I&M market (commercialized as first ACCESS master in 2004). Then in 2009, Anritsu released the world’s dedicated OTDR for undersea cables with an incredible 10-meter fault-detection resolution over ultra-long 12,000-km undersea optical cables. Subsequently, Anritsu optical measuring instruments still lead the world, based on our superior technologies and long experience in precision measurement.

5G mobile networks are not composed just of the mobile fronthaul—they include the mobile backhaul, and the Core and Metro optical networks, so stable and reliable operation of the entire network infrastructure depends on integrated optical-fiber measurements, eCPRI/RoE and precision latency measurements for assuring high speeds and low latency, and PTP time synchronization measurements.

Sweeping the RF market with the portable products

With the proliferation of commercial cellular networks in the early 1980s, there was an increasing demand for portable, handheld test and measurement equipment. Existing benchtop scalar, vector network, and spectrum analyzers were cumbersome to carry (weighing 100s of pounds) and often required field technicians, engineers, and wireless network installers to bring A/C power in case there was none at the site. In 1995, Anritsu introduced the Site Master™ product line – the world’s first handheld cable and antenna analyzer. This revolutionized test and measurement industry by providing a portable, handheld, battery-operated solution that provided the necessary measurements in a small form factor. In 1999, Anritsu continued revolutionizing the test and measurement industry with the introduction of the Spectrum Master™ product line – the world’s first handheld spectrum analyzer. Once again, field technicians, engineers, and wireless network installers were able to replace existing benchtop spectrum analyzers solutions with a portable, battery-operated solution that provided the same quality measurements at a fraction of the size and weight. As cellular technologies progressed from GSM through wideband CDMA and on to LTE, Anritsu included comprehensive demodulation measurements in to these portable products thereby making these product even more comprehensive and further simplifying the job of the RF field engineers.

This compact optical fiber tester has a built-in OTDR and optical power and loss measurement functions to increase the efficiency of optical cable I&M work between 5G base stations and data centers, etc.

The Field Master Pro MS2090A RF spectrum analyzer is the highest performing handheld test and measurement solution available to meet the challenges of 5G field testing while maintaining support for a full range of wireless technologies.